Over on Trainorders.com, I started a thread asking about extras that make a layout more convenient. Things like cup holders so drinks stay off the scenery. There are some interesting ideas that popped up, but you'll need to be a member to follow the link (the site is worth the registration money).

I've been thinking about how I can transfer the trackplan from the computer to the plywood, and I think I have an idea that beats carbon paper and tracing the printouts. Instead, I'll just put staples down the centerline of all the tracks and tear the paper away, leaving a thin metal line where the cork should be glued.
My buddy Wayne came over today to help on the layout. We got quite a bit done, installing all the masonite backdrops. After he left, I sanded and painted the blue on about two-thirds of the backdrops. I would've finished the blue, but the glue was still drying on the portion from Blue Cut to Silverwood. Right before he got there I had a pretty dramatic accident as I climbed a ladder and stuck my head into the spinning ceiling fan! It swung out of control, and into the rolled up garage door, bending one of the blades. My hard head survived the blow.

Tonight, I worked out the elevations and grades for the layout. They are imortalized below. These elevations are from the top of the benchwork base.

Devore: 0"
Cajon: 2.25" BNSF WB/EB (2%); 3.5" UP (3%)
SR 138: 4.75" BNSF WB (3%); 4.75" BNSF EB (<3%); 6.5" UP (2%)
Silverwood: 8" BNSF WB (3%); 8.25" BNSF EB (3%); 9" UP (2%)
Summit: 9.25" BNSF WB (3%); 9.25" BNSF EB (<3%)
Hivolt: 9.25" UP (2%)
Colton: 0" UP (4%)
Over at N Scale Supply, Scott has posted a pretty comprehensive list of the new stuff revealed at the Hobby Visions Show in Vegas. Athearn has an Automax and not that I'm big on steam, but Atlas has a cool two-truck Shay on the way.
Not much work on the layout this week. I was tearing out a cinder block wall to make way for a swimming pool. I did spend some time on the computer though, tweaking the track plan and identifying which tracks are concrete tie and which are wood. As I look down at the counter, I see that it's just about ready to roll over to 9000 visitors. Pretty amazing to me anyway. I guess people like reading diaries? I know it's not just me logging on because I've programed the counter to ignore my computer.
I've posted the latest trackplan here. It was a little scary to inventory and price out these things at over $800 with 38 twin-coil switch machines.
10 Kato Unitrack 20-035 Bumper C 2
20 Peco-55 InsulFrog SL-E388F Large Right
12 Peco-55 InsulFrog SL-E389F Large Left
2 Peco-55 InsulFrog SL-E391F Small Right
2 Peco-55 InsulFrog SL-E392F Small Left
1 Peco-55 InsulFrog SL-E395F Medium Right
1 Peco-55 InsulFrog SL-E396F Medium Left
4229" Peco-55 Flex Track (109 Pieces)

My buddy Jake joked about Monday's post and said I would end up with a cornfield meet when I tried to run that many trains. Spoken like a true ex-railroader with a beer keg in his living room!

Today I got an email from Ted York. We've been talking about which tracks on the Pass have concrete ties. His great Cajon Pass layout is featured at his web site.